Interview
Panti Bliss: EU lessons from the gay rights movement
"Personal activism" is worth more than politicians' talk, but a “meek” EU will never win public support, an Irish gay rights campaigner tells EUobserver.
Interview
Hate speech costs lives, EU warns
Hate speech, whether homophobic or islamophobic, can prompt violent crime, justice commissioner Vera Jourova has warned in the wake of the Orlando and Jo Cox killings.
In cooperation with
News in Brief
- Scotland warns of 'hard Brexit'
- EU unfazed by Fico on migrant quotas
- Bombs hit mosque in Germany
- UK will oppose EU army plans: minister
- ECB needs help from from states, says Draghi
- EU removes Colombia's FARC guerilla from terror list
- Italy constitutional vote set for 4 December
- EU to hand out money to migrants in Turkey
What sort of civil society does Europe want?
Governments must be willing to hear critical voices; otherwise their desire to have an NGO sector is only lip service.
Homosexuality still seen as a disease in parts of EU
Most hospital staff in Bulgaria and Romania think gay people are mentally ill. A transgender woman was refused surgery by every hospital in Slovakia, a new study shows.
EU to sponsor gay rights boat, upsetting Hungary
The EU commission is going to sponsor a boat in Amsterdam Gay Pride for the first time ever. But Hungary has said that type of thing undermines its sovereignty.
Opinion
Pride 2016: Let's not turn back time
EU politicians should attend gay Pride marches to stop illiberal forces in the EU from turning back the clock on basic civil liberties, such as the freedom to assembly.
Italy changes EU gay rights map
Decision to allow same-sex unions deleted last zone of anti-gay intolerance in western Europe. Lack of adoption rights left "bitter taste".
Limited breakthrough for Italian gay rights
The Senate approved a bill recognising same-sex unions, but political manoeuvres led prime minister Matteo Renzi to scrap the green light for gay adoption.
Opinion
Dutch voters could derail gay rights in Ukraine
If Dutch voters stop the EU-Ukraine treaty in a referendum in April, they will help to stall the reform process. What will happen to Ukraine’s LGBT community?
Greece ends discrimination of gay people in civil union law
New law will allow gay citizens to enter into a civil union, which had been available to different-sex couples for several years.
Slovenia rejects gay marriage law
Almost two-thirds of people rejected a law on gay marriage in Slovenia’s referendum on Sunday, highlighting an east-west EU cultural divide.
Feature
No place for human rights in EU-Turkey visa talks
The EU has a formidable instrument to promote its values overseas: visa-free travel. It worked in Ukraine. But it’s not being used in Turkey.
Gay rights vote undermines EU-Ukraine visa deal
Ukrainian MPs have voted down a gay rights law in a decision likely to kill chances of EU visa-free travel by the end of the year.
Ukraine gives equal rights to gay workers, to please Brussels
The adopted legislation was a requirement from Brussels if Ukraine wants visa-free travel.
Sponsored
Far from finished: Fight for LGBTI equality needs political will and activist spirit
Recent breakthroughs on LGBTI rights in Malta, Ireland, and Latvia shouldn't mask the fact that a lot more needs to be done to end discrimination in Europe.
Czechs and Slovaks not doing enough on Roma and gay rights
Council of Europe has condemned "continued discrimination" against Roma and says LGBT people should be given more attention.
Stakeholders' Highlights
- Did You Know Europe's Largest Dinosaur Gallery Is in Brussels? Check It Out Now
- Human Rights in Uzbekistan After Karimov - Joint Statement
- Cloud Infrastructure Providers Unveil Data Protection Code of Conduct
- Messages of Hope From the Basque Country and Galicia
- Digital Rights Heroes and Villains. See Who Protects Your Rights, Who Wants to Take Them Away
- Quo Vadis Georgia? What to Expect From the Parliamentary Elections. Debate on 29 September
- Appalled by Recommendation to Remove Hamas From EU Terrorism Watch List
- Bringing Education to Refugees in Lebanon With the Clooney Foundation for Justice
- An Industry-leading ICT Solution Provider and Building a Better World
- UN Refugees Meeting a Wasted Opportunity to Improve the Lives of Millions of Children
- Can Democracy Survive Global Disorder?
- Trimming the Waste-Line: Weaving Circular Economy Principles Into Our Operations
Latest News
- Green MEPs launch EUleaks
- EU funds for Bulgaria target border security
- EU sanctions hurting Russian firms, US says
- Strengthening child protection in the EU and globally
- The EU’s new offer to Africa
- Why Putin's union doesn't want to work with the EU
- Charges await Danes and Germans for helping refugees
- EU migrant quota idea is finished, Fico says
Germany's equality paradox
Germany has among the best anti-discrimination laws in the EU. So why's it the main country blocking an EU-wide equal treatment bill?
Feature
Gay rights fall victim to EU-Russia geopolitics
The EU is becoming more "sensitive" in how it promotes gay rights in former Soviet states. A tactical sacrifice, or ceding ground?
Ireland votes Yes on same-sex marriage
Ireland has voted Yes to same-sex marriage, becoming the first country to enshrine marriage equality in its constitution by popular mandate.
Irish referendum: 'The gayest day in history'?
If the Yes side wins in Friday's referendum, Ireland will be the first country ever to introduce gay marriage by changing its constitution.
Opinion
The illusion of the EU’s commitment to LGBT rights
The discrimination that LGBT citizens experience in the European Union can no longer be overlooked
Slovakia bitterly divided on social issues
Slovakia will hold a referendum on marriage and gay rights this weekend, amid a debate so bitter the country's president has warned of "broken" social relations.
Estonia same-sex law breaks taboo in former Soviet states
Estonia on Thursday became the first former Soviet republic to grant equal rights to same-sex couples, amid a nasty atmosphere.
'Bearded lady' speaks out for gay rights in EU capital
A defiant Conchita Wurst on Wednesday challenged homophobic politicians and governments opposed to same-sex marriage to overcome their fears.
Catalonia passes historic anti-homophobia law
Catalonia’s new anti-homophobe legislation could see offenders fined up to €14,000 for attacks carried out against lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transsexuals (LGTB).
Belgrade gay pride a 'milestone'
Gay people in Serbia held a march in Belgrade on Sunday in what has been described as a “milestone” in the country's history.
Greek MP hurls homophobic insults at Luxembourg PM
A Greek MP has waged a homophobic twitter war on Luxembourg PM Bettel, prompting a backlash on the social media site.
European court strikes down transgender marriage case
A Finnish citizen who wanted the state to recognise her new gender after surgery and remain legally married to a woman at the same time has lost her case at the European Court of Human Rights.
Lesbian MEP victim of acid attack
The European Parliament's lead negotiator for gay rights was the victim of an acid attack at the Vienna gay pride demonstration over the weekend
EP candidate runs on anti-gay ticket
While figures with a history of anti-homosexual discourse freely run as candidates for the European Parliament, gay people remain silent about their sexuality in Romania.